Fellow ski legend Franz Klammer told CNN that was typical of Tomba's style.

CNN: Ski legend Tomba's great regret

Klammer is back in Kitzbuhel where this weekend the latest generation tackle the slope which has staged races since 1931.

CNN: January 25, 2013 -- Updated 1057 GMT (1857 HKT)

Other sporting celebrities include Boris Becker, Ian Botham, Zinzan Brooke, Kapil Dev, Darren Gough, Gavin Hastings, Franz Klammer, Michael Lynagh, Nigel Mansell and Sir Steve Redgrave.

BBC: Ryder heroes set for Dunhill